We talk a lot about ownership in KS 400, and most of the time I find we focus a lot on the negative side of things. We read stories of law suits, infringements and the like, yet very rarely do we look at the positive side of the ownership issue. I started thinking this when I found an artcle in the paper on the TTC subway. A ten year girl re-made the hit Born this Way by Lady GaGa and instead of being penalized for this, she has been launched into fame and success. A lot of people in the talent industry are now keeping an eye on her because of her fabulous voice. Even Lady GaGa was impressed. Last night, she had the opportunity to sing with Lady GaGa on stage at her Tornonto concert. Stories like this are fairly rare, but they do occurr--I think that sometimes scholars forget that remixing a song, and claiming it to be your own is not necessarily a bad thing.
here is Lady GaGa's rendition: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4a8QtvOkBQ
and the remixed version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xG0wi1m-89o
Finally someone pointed out the positive side of copying. There are so many stories of people becoming famous after doing an amateur cover version or funny imitation of a work of art or piece of music. The film titled Banksy is not about Banksy its about a man who is persistent enough to find Banksy and film him along with other famous graffiti artists. In the end he becomes a "comical" graffiti artist, many people don't take his work seriously, all he does is try to imitate these street artists. Now he is making a lot of money doing this type of art, and it all started out from copying and imitation and since Banksy found him funny, he ended u helping him rather then discouraging him.
ReplyDeleteAnother example of this positive feedback from imitation or comical copying is the story of Keenan on youtube. He makes these hilarious (to some) videos imitating and lip syncing to famous top 40soongs
Example 1:
http://www.youtube.com/user/BeenerKeeKee19952#p/u/24/OTya267fe1Y
Example 2:
and then he was discovered by 50 cent, who then produced a video with him:
http://www.youtube.com/user/BeenerKeeKee19952#p/u/19/Dwimc4cvUmQ
I agree with both of you, positive feedback and encouragement from both the public and the original artist is definitely an important aspect of remix culture. If every remix was discouraged and ridiculed once it was created, perhaps the entire remix industry would be less prominent in society or perhaps more 'underground'. What is interesting however, is the fact that the media generates 'hype' around these remixes - which seems ironic because it is large media conglomerates that often strive to limit the emergence of remix with copyright laws. For example, I remember watching this young girl's performance of 'Born This Way' on The Ellen Degeneres Show, as well as interviews with her on the radio. Either way, I love that remixes such as these are becoming popular and well-loved in today's competitive society. It allows for small artists a chance to grow and share their talent with the rest of the world.
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